pico1 Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 Is crushed coral ok as a substrate for a refugium? I thought it might help as a buffer and help with calcium. Link to comment
ZaderMatermorts Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 I'd tend to use a fine grade of aragonite, and at least 3 inches of it if you are looking for denitrification. Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 ... at least 3 inches of it if you are looking for denitrification. 3" will be an NO3 factory. 6" is the documented depth for reliable sandbed denitrification. For a discussion of various dentirification techniques see this thread: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=84357 pico1: Many people have used crushed coral and had no problems with it, but others have had problems with it becoming a sludge factory if it isn't regularly vaccumed. Regular aragonite sand seems to work for everybody. Link to comment
ZaderMatermorts Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 "For optimum nitrate control, sugar-fine sand clearly works the best when applied at a minimum depth of three inches." - Anthony Calfo, Book of Coral Propagation That said, I agree that the sand bed should be deeper if possible, but 3" will not be a nitrate factory. I have never had NO3 in my tank since start up with a DSB of a little more than 4 inches. Link to comment
Mr. Fosi Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 "For optimum nitrate control, sugar-fine sand clearly works the best when applied at a minimum depth of three inches." - Anthony Calfo, Book of Coral Propagation Given that quote, I wonder why Tony is always pushing for deeper beds (with no mention of shallower ones) over at RC. Link to comment
ZaderMatermorts Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Because deeper is indeed better . Plus aragonite tends to .....erm dissolve in a short time period. So a 3" DSB will turn into a 2" sand bed in a year or so. Link to comment
kinetic Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Because deeper is indeed better . Plus aragonite tends to .....erm dissolve in a short time period. So a 3" DSB will turn into a 2" sand bed in a year or so. that's not true. your pH needs to be fairly low to ever dissolve aragonite for any sort of buffering that isn't EASILY replenished with even the most lazy of water changers. the pH needs to be so low, in fact, that your animals will all be dead. no need to buffer for calcium. just do your water changes!!! Link to comment
ZaderMatermorts Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Hey, he wanted to know why Anthony Calfo doesn't recommend a 3 inch sand bed. That's why. It might be a bit of an exaggeration, but he states that aragonite has a half life of 18 months.... The pH of the water doesn't have to be low, only the local pH in the substrate due to the organic goodies breaking down. Besides, aragonite can dissolve at a pH of 8.0, unlike crushed coral which will dissolve at pH below 7.6. Link to comment
reefbuzz Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 According to the literature, Zadermatermorts is right... Koden, where are getting your information? Link to comment
nanomano5442 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 hey I just bought sand 4 my fuge its called mangrove mud its supposed to duplicate coastal envionment perfect for gorwing macroalage and mangrove plants. how deep should it be 3-of-4 inch and will it be good for a deep sand bed? Link to comment
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